How to Study for an Online Class

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A Student of the University of British Columbi...

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The allure of online classes is easy to understand. Study in your PJs, never be late for class, or hold down a nine-to-five job while going to school. You control when you do classwork and you control when you study. Unfortunately, it’s a lot harder to find motivation to study when you’re in an online class. You’ve got to change your methods. Here are some tips for studying for an online class.

  1. Review regularly.
    We know you’ve heard this tip a thousand times, but how often do you actually do it? Never? It may be impossible for you to review every day, so make it a habit of reviewing every other day or every two days. The reason this is so essential in online classes is because you won’t have a live class to attend three times a week. You’re on your own, and you’ve got to keep the material fresh and active in your head. If you’re really struggling with the class, make the commitment to review every day. You don’t want to be faced with a huge cramfest right before a major exam.
  2. Take neat notes.
    It doesn’t matter if your handwriting is atrocious (you can type your notes instead). Your notes need to be orderly and aesthetically pleasing for you to want to study them. Be creative and use different colors or pictures. Make your notes inviting.
  3. See if any of your online classmates live near you.
    Reviewing with another person can do wonders in both motivating you and helping you remember certain information. If no one lives near you, start a review thread in your discussion board.
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Three Productivity Secrets for College Students

June 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Studying for that big exam and you just can’t focus? Need a better way to organize your class materials? Looking for ways to increase your academic productivity so you’ll have more time to party? Whatever your reasons, here are some useful productivity tips and tricks to improve your academic life.

  1. Evernote.
    Evernote is a handy app for your smartphone or computer that easily organizes your notes. Clip a website as reference for a paper. Take a picture of your handwritten notes. Evernote’s picture-searching technology allows you to search writing in images, so you can easily search and find your notes on Macbeth or the Battle of Trafalgar. Take vocal memos (perfect if you’re an audio learner).
  2. The Pomodoro Technique.
    Time to study or work on a paper? Set a timer for 25 minutes. When it dings, take a five minute break. After your fourth 25-minute block, take a 15 minute break. Welcome to the Pomodoro Technique, a productivity tool invented by Francesco Cirillo. The human brain can’t focus effectively for long chunks of time, so taking breaks help break up longer projects. Plus, that five minute break acts like a reward to look forward to while you’re typing away on your paper. Hold off on checking Twitter or Facebook until the timer dings and you’ll notice a major increase in productivity.
  3. Do Flash Cards While You Wait.
    Turn your down time into productive study time. Make up flash cards and run through them on your commute or in the doctor office waiting room. This is especially helpful for vocabulary terms on an upcoming exam or foreign language classes.
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Three Tips for Online Learning Beginners

June 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
first class

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Are you starting your very first online learning class? Congratulations– you’re taking full control of your higher education. Be forewarned that online learning classes put you in the pilot seat. You’ll need a higher discipline and self-motivation than you would in a traditional online learning class. Here are some tips for beginner students.

  1. Research Your Professor.
    Although there isn’t as much face-to-face interaction with your professor as you would find in a traditional class, your professor can make or break your class. Ask any classmates who they’d recommend for a particular class. Don’t know anyone? Get the insider scoop at review sites like RateMyProfessor.
  2. Know Your Syllabus Like the Back of Your Hand.
    The syllabus is your contract with the professor. You won’t have a professor to stand in front of the class and go over it. Know your syllabus. It will often contain day-by-day instructions or assignments as well as classroom policies and rules. Those due dates are much more likely to creep up on you in an online class. Set reminders for one week ahead for minor projects, two or three weeks ahead for major projects. If there’s anything you’re unclear about in the syllabus, email the professor right away.
  3. Never Procrastinate.
    Online courses don’t allow for it. If you’re not keeping up with the workload, you’ll drown. Cramfests and last-minute work sessions do not work for online courses. You’re the only one responsible for understanding the material and a large part of your online course will be spent teaching yourself. You can’t learn an entire semester in one night, so make sure you’re keeping up with the syllabus.
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Online Learning is Here to Stay

May 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Online learning includes all types of teaching and learning. There are communication and information systems that serve as the media needed in order to implement this type of learning. The term “online learning” basically refers to classroom education that is acquired through the use of technology.

This type of learning where the network-enabled and computer transfer of knowledge and skills is utilized, processes and applications include digital collaboration, opportunities of virtual classroom, computer-based learning and Web-based learning. The content of the materials to be learned is sent through the Internet, satellite TV, video or audio tape, and extranet/intranet. This type of learning can be customized at the students own pace or it can be instructor led with media elements to include audio, animation, text, video streaming, and image.

By the year 2006 in the U.S., there were around 3.5 million students taking some type of online-learning within an institute of higher education. The Slogan Foundation reports state that the rise of participation in online learning was an average of 12 to 14% between the years of 2004 to 2009. By 2008, there were more that 25% of all post-secondary education students taking some type of online courses which increased in 2009 to 44%. The number of students taking online courses is expected to rise as much as 81 percent by the year 2014. There are many for-profit institutes of higher education that now offer online classes and the general consensus is that students are just as satisfied with this form of education as with the traditional classroom style.

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Online Courses-The Education of Today

May 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Online Learning

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This country has a unique and fascinating history in regards to our need and disire for  education, which has played a significant role in the growth of this country. With  discoveries in areas such as electricity, the telephone, medicine and more, opportunities to learn have been abundant and trying to find avenues to make learning more accessible and convenient has also been on the minds of many individuals.

Everything that has been discovered and invented in this society has also been improved upon. Without electricity, we would not be able operate computers and send email messages over the internet. The internet also gives us the ability stay in contact with long lost friends and family. Many people have used the internet as a source of employment through many lucrative and legitimate jobs available. However, one important area that has been useful with internet use is the ability to learn, online.

Learning has always been the foundation that makes us strive and grow and sometimes with a family and a full time occupation, the ability to continue learning is put on the back burner. However, with many online learning courses available, people are finding that they can work, live happily with their families, and gain the knowledge they need  to advance in the workforce. The knowledge is out there, and with just a click of the computer mouse a person  can learn how to conveniently gain an online education. This type of modern education can be challenging but for the determined individual who is able to juggle these areas in their schedule, it can work well.

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The Benefits of Modern Education

May 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Online education and Financial Aid

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We now live in a technology age that has made it possible to engage in activities that were not available to individuals 20 to 30 years ago. Individuals can send pictures and messages to each other via the internets, gain friends, and stay connected to the ones they love. One area of technology that has gained popularity in recent years is the ability to get an online-education.

Taking online courses gives a person a huge amount of flexibility where they have the ability to work full time and raise a family. Most times,  students can take courses any time of the week at both daytime and nighttime hours. They usually have to do essays and research and complete assignments that can be customize to fit into their schedule. Many feel that the lack of supervision with this type of modern educational style can serve as a hindrance to education, but for the responsible, and dedicated individual, it can be an answer to prayer.

There is also the factor that a student taking online courses lacks access to their instructors but the only lack of interaction is usually face to face. All a student usually needs to do when they need to communicate with their instructor is type any question and concern into their computer and a responsible instructor should be able to provide feedback in a timely manner. This is particularly beneficial to the shy student who would not have asked a question in person, but with this type of technology, is now bold enough to get the answers they need.

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Tips for Studying Math

March 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Studying is studying, no matter what the subject matter, right? While in general that is true, specific subjects require different techniques.  You would not, for instance, study a novel in the same way you would study a history text.  Math is a procedural discipline. So if you want to get the most out of your math study time try using some of these math-specific tips.

An Everyday Routine

Math requires your active participation.  That means that you must work on it every day and not wait until the day before the test to try to catch up.  Do your homework every day.  Math is cumulative, so the more you work at it, the more you understand.

Take Notes

Take notes in class.  Copy the examples from the board. Write down the laws, methods, and ideas for the lesson and be sure you understand what they mean and how to implement them.  If you are unsure, ask for help.

Show Your Work

When solving math problems, show your work.  If necessary, number your steps, so the instructor can see how you arrived at your answer.  This is for your benefit, because by showing your work the instructor can correct your method not just your answer.  Work neatly, so you and your instructor can read it easily.

Learn From Your Mistakes

Use your corrected assignments and tests as tools for your future success.  Rework the problems that you missed until you arrive at the correct answer.  If you can’t get the correct answer, ask for help.  Mistakes are an opportunity to learn and grow and ultimately be more successful.

Learning math can be easy if you remember that today’s skill builds on yesterday’s work.  Successful math students devote time each day to building and retaining their math skills.

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Questions to Ask Before You Enroll On-line

March 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Education is expensive and time-consuming, so before you enroll and write that check for tuition, it is good idea to be sure you are at the right institution for your career and financial goals.  One way to do that is to ask the following questions.

About the School

  • Is the school accredited? Accreditation is extremely important.  If your school isn’t accredited your credits may not transfer to another school and employers may reject your degree.
  • How many students are currently enrolled and how many students graduate each year? The answer to this question tells you two things, first the size of the institution and the success of students.  Generally speaking, 75 percent graduation rate is considered excellent.
  • Student to teacher ratio.  Generally the lower the ratio, the higher the quality of the education.  Look for schools with a low student/teacher ratio.

About Students

  • Hardware and software needs.  What specific hardware and software will you need to complete your degree?  It’s important to know before your enroll, if you need to upgrade your system or purchase software.
  • How do students and teachers communicate?  How will your work be evaluated? Make sure that you understand the methods the teacher uses and that you are comfortable with them.
  • How do I get extra help if I need it?  The amount of extra help an institution provides differs widely.  Find out if the institution provides virtual office hours and tutoring services?

The more you know about your on-line college before enroll, the happier you will be with your choice.  With so many accredited on-line schools to choose from, it is worth your time to thoroughly investigate all the possibilities.

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Graduate Level On-Line Degrees

March 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For the busy professional who is seeking a graduate degree, on-line education is tailor-made to fit their career and lifestyle needs.  A recent survey conducted by Onlinedegrees.org, show that students are looking to continue their education in four major fields:

  • Engineering
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Business

In addition to scheduling flexibility, students like the self-pacing aspects of online education.

Engineering

Engineering degrees offer successful candidates a financially secure future.  Because of the hands on aspects of engineering, few undergraduate engineering degrees are offered online.  Graduate level engineering degrees are more prevalent.

Healthcare

If you believe the experts, a job in health care is job security. So it’s no wonder that the interest in the healthcare field has skyrocketed in the last ten years.   On-line colleges and universities offer healthcare degrees in nursing, pharmacy, medical assisting, nutrition, physical therapy, and medical billing.  Some schools offer a combination of on-line, on-campus, and in-service training.

Education

Most on-line education degrees are for the graduate or post-graduate level.  Educators who are looking to move into administrative or policy positions within the educational field find that an on-line degree will allow them the needed flexibility in the workplace.

Business

Business degrees are by far the most flexible.  Students can choose from an associates, bachelors, graduate, or post-graduate degree from some fine institutions. In today’s highly competitive workplace, the MBA (Masters in Business Administration) has become the norm for mid-level managers.

If you are thinking about taking your career to the next level, then supplementing your education is a logical next step. Whether on-line or on-campus, your educational and career goals are within reach.

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Cost of Postsecondary Education

March 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Cost of Postsecondary Education

Once you’ve decided to continue your education, the next logical step is determining what your education budget will be.  The first step is to ask yourself some critical questions:

  • Will I need to continue to work while I go to school?
  • Is the school of choice within commuting distance or will I need to move?
  • How long does the educational program last and do I have enough resources to complete the program?

Once you have the answers to those questions you can begin to look at different types of postsecondary educational programs and the costs associated with each institution.

Online Colleges

Online colleges offer the student the greatest flexibility of scheduling.  So if you are juggling a job, a family, and school, this might be the perfect solution.  Tuition for online colleges is about $252 a credit hour.

Two-Year Colleges

Community colleges, technical schools, and trade schools, all fall within the category of two-year colleges.  Tuition for these institutions begins at around $239 per credit hour.  However, tuition costs vary greatly depending on the program.  The more specialized the program, the higher the tuition.  In addition, you’ll need to factor in the cost of commuting to class.  Many two-year colleges offer evening and weekend classes that allow you to keep your full or part-time job while attending school.

Four-Year Colleges

If you live within commuting distance, a four-year public college is usually the most cost effective choice.  Yearly resident tuition for a four-year public school runs between $5000 and $10000 per year.  However, if you need to live on campus, the cost of dorms and food can easily run another $15,000.

Non-resident tuition at four-year public colleges average between $15,000 and $25,000.

Knowing what college options you have to meet your career goal is the first step in developing an educational plan for your future.  The second step is to manage your financial resources effectively to get the most education for the fewest dollars.

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